Leaders from Democrat-led states pushed again after the DOJ warned state and native officers of potential prison legal responsibility over sanctuary insurance policies.
Governors and mayors in a number of sanctuary jurisdictions pushed again this week in opposition to demand letters from U.S. Legal professional Basic Pam Bondi warning of authorized motion and potential prison fees for state and native officers who restrict cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Bondi’s Aug. 13 letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom mentioned, “For too lengthy, so-called sanctuary jurisdiction insurance policies have undermined this obligatory cooperation and obstructed federal immigration enforcement, giving aliens cowl to perpetrate crimes in our communities and evade the immigration penalties that federal legislation requires.”
She added, “People working beneath the colour of legislation, utilizing their official place to hinder federal immigration enforcement efforts and facilitating or inducing unlawful immigration could also be topic to prison fees.”
In her letter, Bondi cited President Donald Trump’s April govt order directing the Division of Justice (DOJ) and federal businesses to determine sanctuary jurisdictions, pursue litigation, and study situations on federal funding going to these jurisdictions.
In a post on X, Bondi wrote, “Any sanctuary jurisdiction that continues to place unlawful aliens forward of Americans can both come to the desk or see us in court docket.”
She mentioned the letters are a key step in a strategic effort “to eradicate sanctuary insurance policies from California to New York.”
Earlier this month, the DOJ additionally launched a list of sanctuary jurisdictions, defining them as endorsing “actions and insurance policies that materially impede enforcement of federal immigration statutes and laws.” The listing contains 12 states, 4 counties, and 18 cities, together with New York Metropolis, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, and San Francisco.
Newsom’s workplace formally responded on Aug. 19, citing constitutional protections and legal professional ethics guidelines.
“The final time round, the federal authorities sued—and misplaced,” wrote David Sapp, the governor’s authorized affairs secretary, referencing the Ninth Circuit’s 2019 ruling in United States v. California. “It’s now settled legislation in america Court docket of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that California legislation limiting legislation enforcement coordination with federal immigration enforcement actions ‘doesn’t instantly battle with any obligations that the [Immigration and Nationality Act] or different federal statutes impose on state or native governments.’”
The letter mentioned that prosecuting California officers for following state legislation would “flout the rule of legislation, in addition to probably represent malicious prosecution.”
“Any California legal professional concerned in threatening or initiating such a prosecution in California could due to this fact threat dealing with an ethics criticism to the California State Bar,” it acknowledged.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu cited the tenth Modification at a news conference on Aug. 19.
“At this time, we’re right here to say Boston won’t bow down,” she mentioned. “At this time, we’re right here to say that Massachusetts won’t be bullied.”
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell mentioned in an announcement to native outlet KIRO 7 Information: “Immigration enforcement is the unique accountability of the federal authorities. The Metropolis neither interferes with nor carries out these federal duties. We now have acquired and are reviewing the most recent letter from Legal professional Basic Bondi and strongly disagree with its assertions.
“Our legal guidelines and insurance policies shield the protection, privateness and constitutional rights of all Seattle residents whereas remaining compliant with relevant legislation. We stay dedicated to our native values, together with being a welcoming metropolis for all. We’ll proceed to defend our residents and our rights—and we won’t hesitate to take action in court docket.”
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek mentioned in a statement shared on X: “I’ll struggle for the protection and prosperity of each Oregonian, from latest immigrants to individuals who have been right here for generations. Threats like this undermine our values and our proper to manipulate ourselves. We won’t be bullied into doing the federal authorities’s job of immigration enforcement.”
The DOJ said its personnel have been instructed to “examine incidents involving any such potential illegal conduct and … the place supported by the proof, prosecute violations of federal legal guidelines.”
The DOJ didn’t reply by publication time to a request for touch upon the state and native leaders’ responses to Bondi.
Joseph Lord contributed to this report.
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